Search - Gerry Hemingway Quintet :: Waltzes, Two-Steps, & Other Matters of the Heart

Gerry Hemingway Quintet
Waltzes, Two-Steps, & Other Matters of the Heart
Genres: Jazz, Pop

Track Listings (7) - Disc #1
1. Waltz in Seven
2. Full Off
3. Gitar
4. Gospel Waltz
5. XI
6. Toombow
7. Ari

CD Details

All Artists: Gerry Hemingway Quintet
Title: Waltzes, Two-Steps, & Other Matters of the Heart
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: G.M. Recordings
Original Release Date: 10/12/1999
Release Date: 10/12/1999
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style: Avant Garde & Free Jazz
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 781007304321

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Calling Gerry Hemingway a drummer is a little like calling John Coltrane a saxophonist. The description is apt, of course, but barely approximates what's going on behind the instrument. In Hemingway's case, he's spent years playing with Anthony Braxton, enlisting fellow Braxton bassist Mark Dresser in this quintet, his most monstrously talented band. Though this is just one dimension of Hemingway's past, it's illustrative of his approach to blending composition and improvisation. With Dutch superstars Wolter Wierbos (trombone) and Ernst Reijseger (cello) alongside expat Michael Moore (alto sax, clarinets), the quintet's front line is given to fat 'bone solos that squiggle and blurt, not to mention looping reed interludes that seem hand-in-glove with the cello. There's always room for Hemingway to steer and plenty of places to head while he's at the helm. Waltzes moves from a kind of slow, uphill climb to various descents, each into territory riveted to the beat by Dresser and Hemingway, who verily pounds his drum kit with great heft. --Andrew Bartlett

CD Reviews

Great CD!

08/31/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording by the talented composer and drummer Gerry Hemingway is one of his best. The experience this CD will take you through is great, if you keep an open mind. It is not for the faint of heart, as some of it is very free, with much dissonance. Hemingway's writing is fantastic, with each tune producing a great vibe. The supporting cast is of the highest caliber, with the New York bassist Mark Dresser, and the last three, Wolter Wierbos on trombone, Michael Moore on reeds, and Ernst Reijseger on cello, are some of the finest imrovising musicians from Holland. The underrated Wierbos creates such great sounds out of his horn that people should soon start paying attention. His dynamic range and sonic laying create many special moments on this CD. His partner in the horn lineup, Michael Moore, is also at his best on this CD. His ability to use the three different instruments presented by him on this CD in different and original ways is phenomenal. Reijseger also plays beautifully, straddling the roles of accompanist and melodic representative in a great manner. If you are looking for a journey played by some of the best musicians alive today, then this is the CD for you!"

Soundtrack to a lost Coen Bros. Appalachian deconstruction

Jan P. Dennis | Monument, CO USA | 02/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"But don't let that put you off. This is visceral, sanguine, entirely accessible music, despite the perps' impeccable avant-garde bona fides.Listen. These wacked-out lads--brilliant American expat reedsman Michael Moore, trombonist extraordianre Walter Wierbos, Puckish cellist Ernst Reijseger, PoMo bass player Mark Dresser, and demented rhythm maestro and leader Gerry Hemingway--have put together a disc of astounding consequence, sorta like if Charles Ives wrote music that people actually liked to listen to. That's right, there's a distinct Americana vibe happening here--admittedly a wacky one, but still recognizable and very attractive. This is music YOU NEED TO HEAR.A live recording, one would never know it, what with the breathtakingly precision, uncanny band interaction, and lack of annoying audience intrusion.Ranks up there with Extended Play by The Dave Holland Quintet as one of the very best live recordings ever put to disc."